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Virginia Zoo welcomes two red panda cubs

Posted at 10:20 AM, Jul 07, 2015
and last updated 2015-07-07 10:21:06-04

Norfolk, Va. – Two new residents have been welcomed to the Virginia Zoo’s Asia – Trail of the Tiger exhibit. A pair of baby red pandas were born June 25th — the third set of twins born at the Zoo in the last three years.

The male and female cubs are the first mixed-gender set for mom Bernadette.

Zoo veterinarian Dr. Amanda Guthrie says that the cubs are in good health and appear to be thriving under the watchful care of mom.

“These are very significant births for the species,” states Dr. Guthrie. “Bernadette is a great, experienced mother so we are confident these cubs will do well. They look healthy at this time and we’ll continue to monitor their progress closely.”

The babies are tiny… the female tips the scales at 85 grams and the male weighs in at 78 grams. They’ll stay in the nest for at least 90 days but visitors may be lucky enough to see Bernadette carrying one throughout the exhibit.

You can also check out the Zoo’s Panda Cam to see what’s going on inside the nest!

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